San Bernardino Jury Awards Murder Plot Victim $2 Million

SAN BERNARDINO – On Friday, a jury awarded $2 million to a man who was the victim of a planned murder for hire plot by his brother and sister. According to multiple news reports, in 2006, Erik Barajas and Stacy Nunez-Barajas, along with six members of the Mexican Mafia, plotted to kill their brother, Leonard Epps, after a dispute at the now out-of-business Brass Key bar in Highland, CA. Both siblings pled guilty under plea agreements to the charge of attempted murder and were given probation. Stacy Nunez-Barajas violated her probation and is presently serving a 17-year sentence at the California Institution for Women in Chino. Friday’s $2 million award was the punitive damages phase of the trial. In the first phase, Epps, was awarded $4.5 million by his siblings. According to Epps’ attorney, both defendants are members of an Indian tribe and receive $1 million or more each year in casino proceeds.